England recall troubled spinner Panesar

Reuters, LONDON

England recalled troubled left-arm spinner Monty Panesar yesterday and named three uncapped players in a 17-man squad for the return Ashes series in Australia that starts in November.

Panesar, fined by police last month for urinating in public, has been England’s backup slow bowler in recent years, but has been overlooked since winning his 48th Test cap against New Zealand in March.

Lancashire left-armer Simon Kerrigan was picked alongside Graeme Swann for the fifth and final Ashes Test at The Oval in London last month.

“There is a very strong management in that side to help all aspects of it. He [Panesar] appreciates he has made errors and he is very sure those errors are behind him,” national selector Geoff Miller told reporters. “He is very prepared to let his bowling to do the talking for himself. I am prepared to accept that.”

Surrey pace bowler Chris Tremlett, who tormented Australia the last time England toured, and opening batsman Michael Carberry, who played his only Test in Bangladesh in 2010, were also included.

Opener Nick Compton, who hit two centuries in New Zealand in March before losing form, failed to even make the England performance squad that will be based in Australia during the Ashes and provide extra backup to the main squad if required.

Paceman Graham Onions, who was part of the squad during the home Tests, missed out as the selectors preferred Steven Finn, Tremlett and Rankin.

England, who won the last Ashes series 3-0, play three warmup games before the first Test in Brisbane starting on Nov. 21.

All-rounder Tim Bresnan, still recovering from a stress fracture of his lower back, is to travel to Australia and the England coaches will monitor his fitness progress.